The Facebook Blog

Since first launching the "Like" feature in 2009 and the ability to comment on News Feed stories in 2008, we've seen these features become central to the way people communicate on Facebook. They're two of the most heavily used features on the site and have proven to be a simple way to discuss posts and show appreciation for the content friends share on Facebook.

So like peanut butter and jelly, we realized these two features would go better together. Starting today, most of you will see a small "Like" button appear underneath comments. We're... rolling this out gradually, so if you don't see the new button yet you will soon.

Whether it's a witty remark, a great point in a discussion or a helpful answer to someone's question, clicking the "Like" button within comments now makes it simple to show your appreciation for all types of content on Facebook.



Similar to liking other content, when you click "Like" on a comment the commenter will receive a notification. Other people who can see the comment based on its privacy setting also will be able to see who has liked the comment.


Tom Whitnah, a Facebook software engineer, is going on a comment liking spree.

One of the easiest ways to stay updated on relevant conversations happening on Facebook is through email notifications, which inform you about comments made on the posts you've created or commented on. These notifications—for comments on such content as status updates, photos, videos and Wall posts—allow you to stay informed about your Facebook friends' activities without being logged in when you're on the go, on your phone or at work.

Today, we're launching the ability for you to participate in these conversations by replying directly to... these email notifications. When you receive an email notification about comments, you can just click "Reply" and start typing a comment at the top of the email. Then hit "Send" from your email and your reply will automatically be added as a comment on Facebook without you having to even log in.



If you aren't currently receiving email notifications for comments, be sure to check out your Account Settings. From the Notifications tab, you can choose to receive email notifications when people comment on posts and content, as well as for many other common Facebook activities.


Tom Whitnah, an engineer on Facebook's News Feed team, plans on e-mailing it in.

Facebook's engineers thrive on innovation and experimentation. We're encouraged to work on projects that inspire us and build on new ideas, but not all of these features and improvements wind up launching on the site. In some instances, they're not quite ready for prime time, are a bit esoteric or don't quite fit. Now, for all the products that wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to see the light of day, we're introducing Facebook Prototypes.

Facebook Prototypes let us share the experimentation going on inside the walls of Facebook with the... rest of the world. You'll be able to test any of the products and features we launch as Facebook Prototypes and then provide feedback directly to those of us who built them. To access Prototypes, visit the Application Directory and filter by "Prototypes." From there, you can activate or download any of the Prototypes listed.

For instance, during a recent Hackathon — an all-night coding event that gives us a chance to build projects we just don't have time to pursue during regular hours — I worked on an application called Desktop Notifications, for Mac OS X. The application helps you keep up to date with what's happening on Facebook.

Already, you can see when people take actions on Facebook related to you through the notifications that appear at the bottom right corner of your browser or through email notifications — quickly check out a photo you've been tagged in, a new friend request or read a comment on your status update. Now, you can receive the same notifications even when you're not on Facebook.com or checking email by using Desktop Notifications.

After activating the application, you'll see a Facebook icon next to your computer's clock that will light up with a pop-up alert whenever you receive a new notification. When you click on the notification, you'll be taken directly to the action on Facebook in a new browser window. If you want to just read the notification without going to Facebook, you can dismiss the notification by waving your mouse over it. The application also keeps track of your Facebook messages and gives you an easy way to update your Facebook status.

Other Prototypes include Recent Comments Filter, which allows you to sort your News Feed by items on which your friends have recently commented; Photo Tag Search, which enables you to find photos by the people who are tagged in them; and Enhanced Events Emails, which allows you to add a Facebook Event directly to your personal calendar in Google, Microsoft Outlook and many other calendar products with just one click.



Keep in mind that Prototypes are exactly that — unfinished versions of products we're testing that may have some kinks to work out. Some Prototypes may eventually launch to everyone on Facebook and become part of the Facebook experience, while others may eventually be removed from the Prototypes directory all together. We won't test every new product in Prototypes before launch, but we're excited about testing new ideas regularly and often.

We already get a lot of suggestions for new features. Keep them coming. They just might get built.


Lee, a product designer, is using the prototype of Desktop Notifications to keep his finger on the Facebook pulse.